Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday reiterated that he did not compromise on the funds and institutional support that were due to Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) from the Central government and asserted that the full benefit of the financial package which was offered in lieu of the Special Category Status (SCS) would start coming soon.
“The State is in the process of getting money under the special financial assistance which was given legal sanctity by the Union Cabinet,” he said, pointing out that the State could not be confrontationist with the Centre if it wanted the required hand-holding to grow on par with other developed States. Conditions that might be imposed by the Centre had to be fulfilled lest problems should crop up, the CM said. Addressing an impressive gathering of teachers and other government employees as part of the ‘Navanirmana Deeksha’ here, Mr. Naidu said the Central government had so far given ₹3,900 odd crores towards bridging the revenue deficit, about ₹1,700 crores for the construction of Amaravati, ₹1,050 crores as grant for the development of seven backward districts and made disbursements for various other projects. The State was closely following up on the promises to be delivered by the BJP-led ruling coalition in conformity with the A.P. Reorganisation Act.
The State sought more assistance for the construction of Amaravati and was not sparing any effort to make the Central government deliver on its commitments, he affirmed.
ADVERTISEMENT
Alleging that the Congress and the YSR Congress (YSRC) were parties to the conspiracy behind bifurcation, Mr. Naidu said Rahul Gandhi was coming (to Guntur) on Sunday to continue to spread falsehoods and that attending his public meeting or cooperating with his party was tantamount to harming the interests of the State.
The CM said he was prepared to stretch himself to limits to develop the State with focus on construction of Amaravati and completion of Polavaram by 2018 with 100% Central funding. Foundation for the coffer dam would be laid in a couple of days.